There are some stories about the origin of tteokguk. Some say that "The first day of year should be solemn and clean, so people eat white colored food". And others suggest "People hope for pureness and longevity by eating tteokguk."[source?] There is also a popular saying that "eating tteokguk on New Year's day makes you grow one year older" - the Korean equivalent of "a pinch to grow an inch!" perhaps.